Judges At The Gates

This discourse was delivered by the Rebbe on Shabbat Parshat Shofetim, 5729 (1969). The Sedra's command to place judges and police at the gates is explained through a Midrash that the 'city' is the body and the 'gates' are its limbs. The discourse presents the goal as conquering and clearing out evil from oneself and from the entire Jewish people, with the Rambam's teaching that one good action can tip the entire world toward good and bring the Redemption.